Wearing a car seat belt should be a habit and not just a rule to abide by. People have gone through serious injuries just because they didn’t buckle up. That is why the first instruction driving instructors give to aspiring drivers is to wear a seat belt before taking the road test.
In the UAE, it is illegal to drive without a seat belt. All passengers in the car must wear seat belts. The fine for not wearing seat belts in the UAE is AED 400. Also, Motorists caught driving or sitting in their cars without wearing a seat belt will be charged with four black points.
Popular Reasons to Wear Seatbelts
Road emergencies can take place at any time, even if you are a careful driver the possibility of getting in an accident always exists. However, proper use of safety restraints always helps in saving lives or major injuries. Let us highlight the importance of wearing seat belts.
Makes up for Safety
Among the many benefits of seat belts, the most important one is safety. Seat belts have saved many lives in road emergencies. Seatbelts aren’t just necessary and useful for drivers but they are equally important for the passengers. Even if you are driving an older model without airbags, seatbelts have proved themselves as lifesavers in many accidents.
Protects Against Hard Road Impacts
In case of accidents, one of the benefits of seatbelts is that these harnesses keep you in your seat and protect you from getting pushed out of the windshield. Apart from such serious road impacts, even when your head or shoulders hit the car’s sides or top due to hard braking it creates a great strain on your body.
Airbags and Seatbelts Work Simultaneously
Airbags work with car seatbelts simultaneously. Car airbags are designed to help the drivers and passengers in their seats in case of an accident. That said, airbags would deem ineffective for your safety if you aren’t wearing a seat belt.
Minimises Risk of Severe Injuries
Reducing the risk of severe injuries is also among the several pertinent benefits of seat belts. Many people have survived horrific accidents with just minor injuries thanks to these safety restraints.
Reduces Fatal Incidents
As for the driving rules in the UAE, wearing a seat belt is a must regardless of your car’s speed. You should always wear a seat belt even if you are driving at a low speed.
According to a study conducted by Abu Dhabi Police in October 2017, 60% of traffic fatalities were caused because drivers or passengers were not wearing seat belts. That is why it is mandatory to buckle up when driving your car. Also, don’t think that you don’t need to wear a seatbelt while driving at a low speed. Wearing a seat belt is a must regardless of your car’s speed. Also, make sure to keep a check on seat belt pretensioners during regular maintenance.
Affects Auto insurance
Another main reason why we should wear seat belts in cars is your auto insurance. If you keep getting fined because of not wearing a seatbelt at the time of your auto insurance renewal the insurance rates will skyrocket because you will be considered a high-risk or reckless driver. Moreover, the insurance company might even cancel your policy.
How to Use a Car Seat Belt
This isn’t something new, but here is a quick preview of proper seat belt use.
- Sit in any seat of your vehicle and secure the harness by putting it in its buckle by pulling it across your body
- If the seatbelt is too short for your height consider aftermarket restraints and extender
- Adjust the lower belt snugging across your lap and pelvis – not your stomach
- Expecting mothers should wear a seat belt below their belly – not on or above
- Adjust the shoulder belt across the collarbone and chest, make sure it fits comfortably – it should never rub against your neck or face
- Don’t even try to put the seat belt behind your back or under your arm – it kills the purpose of wearing one
- Before you start the journey make sure the belt is secure
Baby and Kids Seat Belt Use Explained
In the UAE, children up to the age of four must be seated in a child safety seat in the back row. Here is how to use baby seat belts properly:
- Install the baby seat in the back row
- Settle your baby in the kid seat properly
- Make sure their back is straight
- Buckle the baby from both sides – buy a baby seat that has restraints on both sides
- Keep the arms of your baby within the seat belt and then buckle up
- Baby seat restraints also have a lock in the middle to protect the chest
- Lastly, pull the buckle that is down below the child seat to make sure the seat belt isn’t too tight or loose
So now you know not wearing a seatbelt is one of the dangerous things to avoid while driving. Also, keep in mind that children under the age of ten are not allowed to sit in the front passenger seat. If you are looking for child safety seats, here is a list of car seats for toddlers.
Those were the benefits of seat belts and how to properly use these safety harnesses. If you are in search of safe cars for yourself and your family, here is a list of used cars for sale in the UAE.
Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog for more on car safety, auto DIY solutions, auto repair tips and more.
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